Had Andrew Flintoff been fully fit, England would probably have won this thrilling Test match. Now they face an anxious wait to see if his hip will recover in time for the next Test which starts in Barbados next Thursday.
But having said that, Chris Gayle's men thoroughly deserved their draw, showing a steely determination and discipline not associated with West Indian teams in the recent past.
Everyone contributed, not least the last pair, Daren Powell and Fidel Edwards who clung on in the fast fading light for 10 overs.
The draw was set up by the partnership of 148 between Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul which lasted long into the final day.
They both fell to Stuart Broad who was given the second new ball and responded magnificently.
With a five-wicket haul in Jamaica, and now this bowling performance, this series might very well be the moment he truly comes of age.
As far as England's tactics go, I am not sure there was much more Andrew Strauss could have done.
The follow-on will be talked about, but if you have two of your bowlers, Steve Harmison (ill) and Flintoff (injured), unable to give of their best and needing time to recuperate, it makes it very difficult to take to the field immediately again.
He set good fields, with an extra man in the leg side to encourage the bowlers to bowl straight - which they did not do often enough - and his decision to give Owais Shah a bowl almost worked.
All in all, this will be remembered as a fabulous Test match - and given the chaotic background to the game, that is more than anyone expected.
Quite how the pitch lasted five days is beyond everyone - perhaps it was a timely reminder to the Antiguan cricket authorities that the Recreation Ground is a cricket ground, first and foremost, and one that has a unique character and a real soul. Let's hope that this hastily rescheduled Test is not the last to be played here.
So to Barbados, where England can expect overwhelming support as they try - again - to level the series.
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